Method for forming a cover about a flower pot

ABSTRACT

A method of covering a pot, the cover is a flattened sleeve which comprises a base portion tapered to fit a pot and may have a skirt having an edge and having a lower end having excess material therein for forming a bottom. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/025,090,filed Feb. 17, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,979; which is a continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 08/775,516, filed Jan. 2, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No.5,740,658, issued on Apr. 21, 1998; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 08/460,180 filed Jun. 2, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,703, issuedon Apr. 8, 1997; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/237,078,filed May 3, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,979, issued on May 6, 1997;which is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 220,852 filed Mar. 31,1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,851.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to sleeves, and, more particularly,sleeves used to wrap flower pots containing floral groupings and/ormediums containing floral groupings, and methods of using same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sleeve having detaching means constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pot such as might be used with thesleeve of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a potted plant disposed in the sleeve ofFIG. 2 after an upper portion of the sleeve has been removed to providea pot cover having a skirt.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 with agussetted bottom.

FIG. 6 is an alternate version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 wherein a bondingmaterial is disposed upon a portion of the upper end of the sleeve.

FIG. 7 is an alternate version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 having a foldingflap.

FIG. 8 is an alternate version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 having a bondingmaterial disposed on an inner portion of the sleeve.

FIG. 9 is an alternate version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 having a bondingmaterial disposed on a portion of the outer surface of the sleeve.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing the sleeve of FIG. 9 crimpedabout a pot.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the crimped sleeve of FIG. 8 or 10.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 9 wherein acrimped portion is formed above the upper end of the pot.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the crimped sleeve of FIG. 12 or ofFIG. 8, the crimped portion positioned above the pot.

FIG. 14 is yet another version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 having anextended portion serving as a support extension.

FIG. 15 is yet another version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 having anextended portion serving as a handle.

FIG. 16 is another version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 having an additionalperforated area for enhancing the extension of a skirt portion of thesleeve.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the sleeve of FIG. 16 after the upper sleeveportion has been removed.

FIG. 18 is another version of the sleeve of FIG. 1 having notchedperforated areas for enhancing extension of the skirt portion.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the sleeve of FIG. 18 after the upper sleeveportion has been removed.

FIG. 20 is a side view of an alternate version of the present inventionhaving an upper portion of the sleeve constructed of a differentmaterial than the lower portion of the sleeve.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a version of the invention is whereinthe sleeve comprises expansion elements for enhancing extension of theskirt portion once the sleeve portion is removed.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 21 after the uppersleeve portion has been removed and the skirt portion is extended.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a sleeve similar to the sleeve of FIG.21 except the expansion elements do not extend completely to the upperend of the sleeve.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a cross section through the sleeve of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another version of the inventionwherein the sleeve comprises z-shaped expansion elements for enhancingextension of the skirt portion.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 25 after the uppersleeve portion has been removed to reveal the skirt.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of sleeve similar to the sleeve of FIG. 25except the z-shaped expansion elements do not extend completely to theupper end of the sleeve.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of a cross section through the sleeve of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a version of the invention wherein thesleeve comprises fluted or groove-shaped expansion elements forenhancing extension of the skirt portion.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 29 after the uppersleeve portion has been removed to reveal the skirt portion.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a sleeve similar to the sleeve of FIG.29 except the fluted or groove-shaped expansion elements do not extendcompletely to the upper end of the sleeve.

FIG. 32 is a plan view of a cross section through the sleeve of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a sleeve which is exactly the same asthe sleeve of FIG. 23 except it has a support extension on the upperend.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a sleeve which is exactly the same asFIG. 23 except it has handles on the upper end.

FIG. 35 is a side sectional view of a pot used in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 36 is a side sectional view of a pot cover having a bondingmaterial on a portion of its inner surface.

FIG. 37 is a side sectional view of the pot of FIG. 35 disposed in thecover of FIG. 36 showing the connection of the pot to the inner surfaceof the pot cover.

FIG. 38 is a side sectional view of a sleeve having an open lower endand having a bonding material on a portion of the inner surface near thelower end.

FIG. 39 shows the pot and cover of FIG. 37 disposed within the sleeve ofFIG. 38 wherein a portion of the outer surface of the pot cover isconnected to the bonding material of the sleeve.

FIG. 40 shows a pot cover having a bonding material on both a portion ofthe inner surface and on a portion of the outer surface of the cover.

FIG. 41 shows the pot cover of FIG. 40 having disposed therein the potof FIG. 35 wherein the pot is connected to the inner surface of the potcover by the bonding means on the inner surface of the pot cover.

FIG. 42 shows a sleeve having an open lower end similar to the sleeve ofFIG. 38 except having no bonding material on the inner surface.

FIG. 43 shows the pot cover and pot of FIG. 41 disposed in the sleeve ofFIG. 42 wherein the outer surface of the pot cover is connected via thebonding material on the outer surface of the pot cover to the innersurface of the sleeve.

FIG. 44 shows a pot cover and pot such as that shown in FIG. 41 disposedin the sleeve of FIG. 38 wherein the bonding material of the pot coverengages the bonding material of the sleeve.

FIG. 45 shows a side sectional view of a pot having a bonding materialon a portion of the outer surface thereof.

FIG. 46 is a side sectional view of a preformed pot cover having nobonding material therein.

FIG. 47 shows the pot of FIG. 45 disposed within the pot cover of FIG.46 wherein the cover and pot are connected via the bonding means on thepot.

FIG. 48 shows the pot and pot cover of FIG. 47 disposed within thesleeve of FIG. 38 wherein the pot cover is connected to the sleeve viathe bonding material on the inner surface of the sleeve.

FIG. 49 is a side sectional view of a pot cover having a bondingmaterial on a portion of the outer surface thereof.

FIG. 50 is a side sectional view of the pot of FIG. 45 disposed withinthe pot cover of FIG. 49 wherein the pot is connected via the bondingmaterial on the pot to the inner surface of the pot cover.

FIG. 51 shows the pot cover and pot of FIG. 50 disposed within thesleeve of FIG. 42 wherein the bonding material on the outer surface ofthe pot cover bonds to a portion of the inner surface of the sleeve.

FIG. 52 is a side sectional view of the pot of FIG. 45 disposed withinthe pot cover of FIG. 40 wherein the pot is connected via a bondingmaterial to the inner surface of the pot cover.

FIG. 53 is a side sectional view of the pot cover and pot of FIG. 50disposed within a sleeve exactly the same as the sleeve shown in FIG. 38wherein the bonding material on the outer surface of the pot coverconnects with the bonding material on the inner surface of the sleeve.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of an apparatus for pulling a sleeve abouta pot cover.

FIG. 55 is a perspective view showing another step in using theapparatus of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a plant package constructed inaccordance with the present invention showing a sleeve connected at itslower end to a potted plant.

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of a sleeve connected to a potted plantvia a bonding material on the upper end of the pot.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a plant package having a sleeveconnected to a pot wherein the bonding material is on the lower end ofthe sleeve and on the upper end of the pot.

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of plant package having a sleeve connectedto a pot wherein a bonding material is disposed upon the inner surfaceand the outer surface of the lower end of the sleeve.

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a sleeve having an upturned lower endand having a bonding material disposed upon a portion of the up-turnedlower end and wherein the bonding material is covered by a cover orrelease strip.

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 60 disposed about apot with a portion of the release strip peeled away.

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the sleeve and pot of FIG. 61 whereinthe release strip is completely removed from the bonding material. isFIG. 63 is a perspective view of the sleeve and pot of FIG. 62 whereinthe up-turned portion of the sleeve with the bonding material isdisposed partially downwardly about the pot.

FIG. 64 is the sleeve and pot of FIG. 63 wherein the lower end of thesleeve is fully connected to the pot and a portion of the sleeve isdetached at the upper end of the-sleeve.

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of a preformed pot cover.

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of a preformed pot cover like the cover ofFIG. 65 but also having a bonding material disposed on a portion of theinner surface thereof.

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of the potted plant and sleeve of FIG. 64disposed in the preformed pot cover of either FIG. 65 or FIG. 66.

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of a potted plant disposed within adecorative cover.

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of another shows a sleeve constructed inaccordance with the present invention having a bonding material on theinner surface of the sleeve near the upper end of the sleeve and havingexpansion elements disposed within the sleeve.

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of the potted plant of FIG. 68 with theupper end of the sleeve of FIG. 69 connected to the pot cover by thebonding material on the sleeve.

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of the sleeve and potted plant of FIG. 70wherein the lower end of the sleeve has been pulled upwardly toward theupper end of the pot.

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of the sleeve and potted plant of FIG. 71after the sleeve has been pulled completely upwardly above the pot.

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of the sleeve and potted plant of FIG. 72after the upper portion of the sleeve has been detached leaving thelower end of the sleeve attached to the outer surface of the pottedplant.

FIG. 74 is a side section view of another version of the sleeveconstructed in accordance with the present invention wherein a separateskirt portion is connected to the inner surface of the sleeve via abonding material.

FIG. 75 is a perspective view of the sleeve and connected skirt of FIG.74.

FIG. 76 is a perspective view of a potted plant disposed upon a sheet ofmaterial having a bonding material on a portion of the lower surface ofthe sheet of material.

FIG. 77 shows the sheet of material of FIG. 76 wrapped about the pot ofFIG. 76 to form a pot cover having bonding material on the outer surfacethereof.

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of a sleeve.

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the potted plant of FIG. 77 disposedwithin the sleeve of FIG. 78 wherein the sleeve of FIG. 78 is connectedto the outer portion of the pot cover of FIG. 77 by the bonding materialon the outer surface of the cover.

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a sleeve having a bonding materialdisposed upon portions of the inner surface thereof.

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of a covered pot such as the covered potof FIG. 77 disposed within the sleeve of FIG. 80 wherein the bondingmaterial on the cover is connected to the bonding material on thesleeve.

FIG. 82 is a perspective view of a sheet having a bonding material neartwo edges of the sheet.

FIG. 83 is a perspective view of the sheet of FIG. 82 wrapped about acovered plant in accordance with the method of the present invention.

FIG. 84 is a plan view of a sheet of material having a bonding materialdisposed near three edges of the sheet.

FIG. 85 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of FIG. 84wrapped about a covered potted plant with the upper end of the sleevepartially sealed.

FIG. 86 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of FIG. 84 havingthe upper end thereof completely sealed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention contemplates a plant packaging system comprising acombination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative coverportion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. Theprotective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of thepackage system once the protective function of the sleeve has beencompleted, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirtportion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve anddecorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or maycomprise separate components which are attached together by variousbonding materials.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates a plant cover forcovering a pot means having an outer peripheral surface. The plant covercomprises (1) a base portion having a lower end, an upper end, an outerperipheral surface, and an area of excess material for allowingextension of a portion of the base portion and having an openingextending from the upper end to the lower end, and (2) an upper portionextending from the upper end of the base portion and detachabletherefrom, and wherein when the upper portion is detached from the upperend of the base portion, the area of excess material expands causingportions of the base portion to extend angularly from the base. Ingeneral, the base portion is sized to substantially cover the outerperipheral surface of the pot means. The upper portion may be detachablevia a detaching means such as perforations, tear strips and zippers. Theplant cover may have an extended portion extending from the upperportion for serving as a handle or support device.

More particularly, the present invention may be a plant cover comprising(1) a base portion having a lower end, an upper end, and an outerperipheral surface and having an opening extending from the upper end tothe lower end, (2) a sleeve portion extending from the upper end of thebase portion and detachable therefrom, (3) and an expansion elementintegral to the base portion and optionally integral to the sleeve, forallowing expansion of a portion of the base portion into a skirtextending angularly from the base portion when the sleeve portion isdetached from the upper end of the base portion. The expansion elementmay be a plurality of vertical pleats, a plurality of vertical foldseach having a Z-shaped cross section, a plurality of verticalaccordion-type folds, or other similar types of expandable forms.

More particularly, the plant cover may comprise (1) a base portionhaving a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, andhaving an opening extending from the upper end to the lower end, (2) askirt portion attached to the base portion and having an upper end andextending a distance beyond the upper end of the base portion, (3) anexpansion element integral to at least one of the skirt portion and thebase portion for enabling at least a portion of the skirt portion to beextended angularly from the base portion, and (4) a sleeve portionattached to the upper end of the skirt portion and detachable therefrom,and wherein when the sleeve portion is detached from the upper end ofthe skirt portion, the expansion element enables the skirt portion to beextended angularly from the base portion.

The present invention further contemplates a tubular sleeve forcontaining a pot assembly, and having a lower end, an upper end, anouter peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding aninner retaining space. The tubular sleeve may comprise (1) a baseportion having a lower end and an upper end and a retaining space forenclosing the pot assembly, and sized to substantially cover the potassembly, (2) a skirt portion extending beyond the upper end of the baseportion and continuous therewith and having an upper peripheral edge,and (3) a sleeve portion having an upper peripheral edge and a lowerperipheral edge, the lower peripheral edge connected to the upperperipheral edge of the skirt portion and detachable therefrom andextending a distance therefrom, and sized to substantially surround andencompass a floral grouping, and wherein when the sleeve portion isdetached from the upper peripheral edge of the skirt portion, the skirtportion extends angularly from the base portion.

The tubular sleeve may further comprise an expansion element integral toat least one of the skirt portion and the base portion for enhancing theangular extension of at least a portion of the skirt portion away fromthe base portion. The base portion and the skirt portion may beconstructed from a first material and the sleeve portion may beconstructed from a second material different from the first material.

The tubular sleeve may form part of a plant package when used inconjunction with a pot assembly disposed within the retaining space ofthe base portion of the tubular sleeve, the pot assembly having a floralgrouping disposed therein, and wherein the pot assembly is substantiallysurrounded and encompassed by the base portion and the floral groupingis substantially surrounded and encompassed by the sleeve portion.

The present invention further contemplates a plant cover comprising, (1)a base portion having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheralsurface, and having an opening extending from the upper end to the lowerend, (2) a skirt portion attached to the base portion and extending adistance beyond the upper end of the base portion, and (3) a sleeveportion connected to the outer peripheral surface of the base portionand extending from the upper end of the base portion and detachabletherefrom and substantially surrounding the skirt portion, and whereinwhen the sleeve portion is detached from the upper end of the baseportion, the skirt portion is exposed allowing the skirt portion toextend angularly from the base portion. Further, the base portion maycomprise a bonding material for bondingly connecting to the sleeveportion. Also, the base portion may comprise a bonding material forbondingly connecting to a pot disposed therein. Further, the sleeveportion may comprise a bonding material for bondingly connecting to thebase portion. The plant cover may further comprise part of a plantpackage which includes a pot assembly disposed within the innerretaining space of the base portion, the pot means having a floralgrouping disposed therein, and wherein the pot assembly is substantiallysurrounded and encompassed by the base portion and the floral groupingis substantially surrounded and encompassed by the sleeve portion.

The present invention further contemplates a plant cover comprising (1)a tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheralsurface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retainingspace, and further comprising (a) a base portion for enclosing a potassembly, the base portion having an upper end and a lower end and sizedto substantially cover the outer peripheral surface of the pot assembly,and (b) a sleeve portion having an upper end and a lower end, the lowerend detachably connected to the upper end of the base portion andextending a distance therefrom, and wherein the sleeve portion is sizedto substantially surround and encompass a floral grouping disposedwithin the pot assembly, and (2) a skirt portion positioned within thetubular sleeve and having an upper end and a lower end, the lower endattached to the inner peripheral surface of the base portion, the upperend of the skirt portion freely extending a distance beyond the upperend of the base portion and substantially surrounded and encompassed bythe sleeve portion and wherein when the sleeve portion is detached fromthe upper end of the base portion, the skirt portion is exposed allowingthe skirt portion to be extended angularly from the upper end of thebase portion.

The base portion and the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve may beconstructed from a first material and the sleeve portion constructedfrom a second material different from the first material. The baseportion and the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve may be constructedfrom a first material and the skirt portion constructed from a secondmaterial different from the first material. The plant cover may comprisea portion of a plant package which additionally comprises a pot assemblydisposed within the tubular sleeve, the pot assembly having a floralgrouping disposed therein, and wherein the pot assembly is substantiallysurrounded and encompassed by the base portion and the floral groupingis substantially surrounded and encompassed by the sleeve portion.

These embodiments and others of the present invention are now describedin more detail below.

The Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 1-20

Shown in FIG. 1 and designated therein by the general reference numeral10 is a flexible bag or sleeve of unitary construction. The sleeve 10initially comprises a flexible flat collapsed piece of material which isopenable in the form of a tube or sleeve. The sleeve 10 may be taperedoutwardly from the lower end toward a larger diameter at its upper end.In its flattened state the sleeve 10 has an overall trapezoidal ormodified trapezoidal shape, and when opened is substantiallyfrusto-conical to coniform. It will be appreciated, however, that thesleeve 10 may comprise variations on the aforementioned shapes or maycomprise significantly altered shapes such as square or rectangular,wherein the sleeve 10 when opened has a cylindrical form, as long as thesleeve 10 functions in accordance with the present invention in themanner described herein.

The sleeve 10 has an upper end 12, a lower end 14, an outer peripheralsurface 16 and in its flattened state has a first side 18 and a secondside 20. The sleeve 10 has an opening at the upper end 12 and may beopen at the lower end 14, or closed with a bottom at the lower end 14.The sleeve 10 also has an inner peripheral surface 22 which, when thesleeve 10 is opened, defines and encompasses an inner retaining space 24as shown in FIG. 2. When the lower end 14 of the sleeve 10 has closedbottom a portion of the lower end 14 may be inwardly folded to form oneor more gussets for permitting a circular bottom of an object such as apotted plant 30 (FIG. 4) to be disposed into the inner retaining space24 of the lower end 14 of the sleeve 10.

The sleeve 10 is generally frusto-conically shaped, but the sleeve 10may be, by way of example but not by way of limitation, cylindrical,frusto-conical, a combination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical, orany other shape, as long as the sleeve 10 functions as described hereinas noted above. Further, the sleeve 10 may comprise any shape, whethergeometric, non-geometric, asymmetrical and/or fanciful as long as itfunctions in accordance with the present invention. The sleeve 10 mayalso be equipped with drains or ventilation holes (not shown), or can bemade from permeable or impermeable materials.

The material from which the sleeve 10 is constructed has a thickness ina range from about 0.1 mils to about 30 mils. Often, the thickness ofthe sleeve 10 is in a range from about 0.5 mils to about 10 mils.Preferably, the sleeve 10 has a thickness in a range from about 1.0 milto about 5 mils. More preferably, the sleeve 10 is constructed from amaterial which is flexible, semi-rigid, rigid, or any combinationthereof. The sleeve 10 may be constructed of a single layer of materialor a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials.Any thickness of the material may be utilized as long as the materialfunctions in accordance with the present invention as described herein.The layers of material comprising the sleeve 10 may be connectedtogether or laminated or may be separate layers. Such materials used toconstruct the sleeve 10 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued to Weder et al.,on May 12, 1992, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Anythickness of material may be utilized in accordance with the presentinvention as long as the sleeve 10 may be formed as described herein,and as long as the formed sleeve 10 may contain at least a portion of apot or potted plant 30 or a floral grouping, as described herein.Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferable asone of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to provideadditional protection for the item, such as the floral grouping,contained therein.

In one embodiment, the sleeve 10 may be constructed from twopolypropylene films. The material comprising the sleeve 10 may beconnected together or laminated or may be separate layers. In analternative embodiment, the sleeve 10 may be constructed from only oneof the polypropylene films.

The sleeve 10 may also be constructed, in whole or in part, from a clingmaterial. “Cling Wrap or Material” when used herein means any materialwhich is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itselfupon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappableabout an item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engageand connect to other portions of another material, or, alternatively,itself, for generally securing the material wrapped about at least aportion of the pot 30. This connecting engagement is preferablytemporary in that the material may be easily removed, i.e., the clingmaterial “clings” to the pot 30.

The cling material is constructed and treated if necessary, frompolyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad@, First Brands Corporation,Danbury, Connecticut. The thickness of the cling material will, in part,depend upon the size of sleeve 10 and the size of the pot 30 in thesleeve 10, i.e., generally, a larger pot 30 may require a thicker andtherefore stronger cling material. The cling material will range inthickness from less than about 0.1 mils to about 10 mils, and preferablyless than about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils and most preferably from lessthan about 0.6 mils to about 2 mils. However, any thickness of clingmaterial may be utilized in accordance with the present invention whichpermits the cling material to function as described herein.

The sleeve 10 is constructed from any suitable material that is capableof being formed into a sleeve and wrapped about a pot 30 and a floralgrouping disposed therein. Preferably, the material comprises paper(untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, metal foil, polymerfilm, non-polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic ornatural), cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, or laminations orcombinations thereof.

The term “polymer film” means a man-made polymer such as a polypropyleneor a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane.

A polymer film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing(substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.

The material comprising the sleeve 10 may vary in color and may consistof designs or decorative patterns which are printed, etched, and/orembossed thereon using inks or other printing materials. An example ofan ink which may be applied to the surface of the material is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706 entitled “Water Based Ink On Foil-And/OrSynthetic Organic Polymer” issued to Kingman on Sep. 15, 1992 and whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the material may have various colorings, coatings, flockingand/or metallic finishes, or other decorative surface ornamentationapplied separately or simultaneously or may be characterized totally orpartially by pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent, neon, orthe like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occuralone or in combination and may be applied to the upper and/or lowersurface of the material comprising the sleeve 10. Moreover, portions ofthe material used in constructing the sleeve 10 may vary in thecombination of such characteristics. The material utilized for thesleeve 10 itself may be opaque, translucent, transparent, or partiallyclear or tinted transparent.

It will generally be desired to use the sleeve 10 as a covering for apotted plant 30 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, the potted plant 30comprises a pot 32 having an upper end 34, a lower end 36, an outerperipheral surface 38, and an inner peripheral surface which encompassesan inner space 40 for retaining a floral grouping-or plant 42. The lowerend 36 of the pot 32 is closed but may have holes for permitting waterdrainage. The term “pot” as used herein refers to any type of containerused for holding a floral grouping or plant 42. Examples of pots, usedin accordance with the present invention include, but not by way oflimitation, clay pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, pots made from naturalmad/or synthetic fibers, or any combination thereof. The pot 32 isadapted to receive a floral grouping 42 in the retaining space 40. Thefloral grouping 42 may be disposed within the pot 32 along with asuitable growing medium described in further detail below, or otherretaining medium, such as a floral foam. It will also be understood thatthe floral grouping 42, and any appropriate growing medium or otherretaining medium, may be disposed in the sleeve 10 without a pot 32.

The term “floral grouping” as used herein means cut fresh flowers,artificial-flowers, a single flower or other fresh and/or artificialplants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plantsand/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials which add to theaesthetics of the overall floral grouping. The floral grouping 42comprises a bloom or foliage portion and a stem portion. Further, thefloral grouping 42 may comprise a growing potted plant having a rootportion (not shown) as well. However, it will be appreciated that thefloral grouping may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage, or abotanical item (not shown), or a propagule (not shown). The term “floralgrouping” may be used interchangeably herein with both the terms “floralarrangement” and “potted plant”. The term “floral grouping” may also beused interchangeably herein with the terms “botanical item” and/or“propagule.”

The term “growing medium” when used herein means any liquid, solid orgaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation ofpropagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil,humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients,fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof required by the plantsor propagules for growth.

The term “botanical item” when used herein means a natural or artificialherbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term“botanical item” also means any portion or portions of natural orartificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers,blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly or in combination,or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet or floral grouping. Theterm “propagule” when used herein means any structure capable of beingpropagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds,shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots or spores.

In accordance with the present invention, a bonding material may bedisposed on a portion of the sleeve 10 to assist in holding the sleeve10 to the pot 32 having the floral grouping 42 therein when such a pot32 is disposed within the sleeve 10 or to assist in closing the upperend of the sleeve 10 or adhering the sleeve 10 to the pot 32 after thepot 32 has been disposed therein, as will be discussed in further detailbelow.

It will be understood that the bonding material may be disposed as astrip or block on a surface of the sleeve 10. The bonding material mayalso be disposed upon either the outer peripheral surface 16 or theinner peripheral surface 22 of the sleeve 10, as well as upon the pot32. Further, the bonding material may be disposed as spots of bondingmaterial, or in any other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric, orfanciful form, and in any pattern including covering either the entireinner peripheral surface and/or outer peripheral surface of the sleeve10 and/or the pot or pot cover. The bonding material may be covered by acover or release strip which can be removed prior to the use of thesleeve, pot or pot cover. The bonding material can be applied by meansknown to those of ordinary skill in their art. One method for disposinga bonding material, in this case an adhesive, is described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,111,637 entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued toWeder et al., on May 12, 1992, which has been incorporated by referenceabove.

The term “bonding material or bonding means” when used herein means anadhesive, frequently a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Whenthe bonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must beplaced on the adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondinglyengaging with the cohesive material. The term “bonding material orbonding means” also includes materials which are heat sealable and, inthis instance, the adjacent portions of the material must be broughtinto contact and then heat must be applied to effect the seal. The term“bonding material or bonding means” also includes materials which aresonic sealable and vibratory sealable. The term “bonding material orbonding means” when used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer or hotmelt material which may be applied to the material and, in thisinstance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be applied toeffect the sealing.

The term “bonding material or bonding means” when used herein also meansany type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding orconnecting of the two adjacent portions of the material or sheet ofmaterial to effect the connection or bonding described herein. The term“bonding material or bonding means” may also include ties, labels,bands, ribbons, strings, tapes (including single or double-sidedadhesive tapes), staples or combinations thereof. Some of the bondingmaterials would secure the ends of the material while other bondingmaterial may bind the circumference of a wrapper, or a sleeve, or,alternatively and/or in addition, the bonding materials would secureoverlapping folds in the material and/or sleeve. Another way to securethe wrapping and/or sleeve is to heat seal the ends of the material toanother portion of the material. One way to do this is to contact theends with an iron of sufficient heat to heat seal the material.

Alternatively, a cold seal adhesive may be utilized as the bondingmaterial or means. The cold seal adhesive adheres only to a similarsubstrate, acting similarly as a cohesive, and binds only to itself. Thecold seal adhesive, since it bonds only to a similar substrate, does notcause a residue to build up on equipment, thereby both permitting muchmore rapid disposition and use of such equipment to form articles andreducing labor costs. Further, since no heat is required to effect theseal, the dwell time, that is, the time for the sheet of material toform and retain the shape of an article, such as a flower pot cover orflower pot, is reduced. A cold seal adhesive binds quickly and easilywith minimal pressure, and such a seal is not readily releasable. Thischaracteristic is different from, for example, a pressure sensitiveadhesive.

The term “bonding material or bonding means” when used herein also meansany heat or chemically shrinkable material, and static electrical orother electrical means, chemical welding means, magnetic means,mechanical or barb-type fastening means or clamps, curl-typecharacteristics of the film or materials incorporated in material whichcan cause the material to take on certain shapes, cling films, slots,grooves, shrinkable materials and bands, curl materials, springs, andany type of welding method which may weld portions of the material toitself or to the pot, or to both the material itself and the pot.

Certain versions of the sleeve 10 described herein may be used inconjunction with a preformed plant cover as explained in greater detailbelow.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 10 is demarcated into an upper portion 44and a lower portion 46. The lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10 isgenerally sized to contain the potted plant 30 or pot 32. The upperportion 44 of the sleeve 10 is sized to substantially surround andencompass the floral grouping 42 of the potted plant 30 disposed withinthe lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10. The sleeve 10 is demarcated intothe upper portion 44 and the lower portion 46 by a detaching element 48for enabling the detachment of the upper portion 44 of the sleeve 10from the lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10. In the present version, thedetaching element 48 is a plurality of generally laterally-oriented oralternatingly diagonally-oriented perforations which extendcircumferentially across the outer peripheral surface 16 of the sleeve10 from the first side 18 to the second side 20. The term “detachingelement,” or “detaching means” as used generally herein, means anyelement or means, or combination of elements, or features, such as, butnot by way of limitation, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and anyother devices or elements of this nature known in the art, or anycombination thereof, which enable the tearing away or detachment of oneobject from another. Therefore, while perforations are shown anddescribed in detail herein, it will be understood that tear strips,zippers, or any other “detaching elements” known in the art, or anycombination thereof, could be substituted therefore and/or usedtherewith.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower portion46 of the sleeve 10 further comprises a base portion 50, and a skirtportion 52. The base portion 50 comprises that part of the lower portion46 which, when the pot 32 is placed into the lower portion 46, has aninner peripheral surface which is substantially adjacent to andsurrounds the outer peripheral surface of 38 the pot 32. The skirtportion 52 comprises that part of the lower portion 46 which extendsbeyond the upper rim 34 of the pot 32 and adjacent at least a portion ofthe floral grouping 42 contained within the pot 32 and which is left tofreely extend at angle, inwardly or outwardly, from the base portion 50when the upper portion of 44 the sleeve 10 is detached from the lowerportion 46 of the sleeve 10 by actuation of the detaching means 48. Inthe intact sleeve 10, the skirt portion 52 comprises an upper peripheraledge congruent with the detaching element 48 which is connected to alower peripheral edge, also congruent with the detaching element 48, ofthe upper portion 44 of the sleeve 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the upperperipheral edge of the skirt portion 52 is congruent with a series ofalternatingly diagonally-oriented lines of perforations which togetherform a zig-zag and comprise the detaching element 48.

The upper portion 44 of the sleeve 10 may also have an additionaldetaching element 54 indicated as a plurality of vertical perforationsfor facilitating removal of the upper portion 44 and which are disposedmore or less vertically therein extending between the detaching element48 of the sleeve 10. The upper portion 44 of the sleeve 10 is separablefrom the lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10 by tearing the upper portion44 along both the vertical perforations 54 and the detaching element 48,thereby separating the upper portion 44 from the lower portion 46 of thesleeve 10. The lower portion 46 of the sleeve 10 remains disposed as thebase portion 50 about the pot 32 and as the skirt portion 52 about thefloral grouping 42 forming a decorative cover 56 as shown in FIG. 4which substantially surrounds and encompasses the potted plant 30.

It will be understood that equipment and devices for forming floralsleeves are commercially available, and are well known to a person ofordinary skill in the art.

As noted above, the sleeve 10 may have an open or closed lower end 14.When the lower end 14 is closed the lower end 14 may have one or moregussets 60 formed therein such as that seen in sleeve 10 a in FIG. 5 forallowing expansion of the lower end 14 when an object with a broad lowerend such as a pot 32 is disposed therein. In another version of thepresent invention, as shown in sleeve 10 b in FIG. 6, a strip of bondingmaterial 62 may be disposed on the inner peripheral surface 22 of theupper portion 44 of the sleeve 10 b generally in the vicinity of theupper end 12 of the sleeve 10 b for allowing the upper end 12 to besealed for enclosing the upper portion 44 of the sleeve 10 b about afloral grouping disposed therein. In another version of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 7, a sleeve 10 c comprises a flap 64 positionedat the upper end 12 which can be folded over and sealed with a flapbonding strip 66 to an adjacent portion of the outer peripheral surface16 of the sleeve 10 c near the upper end 12 thereof. Other versions ofthe sleeve (not shown) may comprise ventilation holes or drainage forallowing movement of gases or moisture to and away from the inner spaceof the sleeve.

In another version of the present invention, shown in FIG. 8, a sleeve10 d is exactly like sleeve 10 but further comprises an inner strip ofbonding material 68 disposed upon a portion of the inner peripheralsurface 22 of the base portion 50 of the sleeve 10 d. The strip ofbonding material 68 functions to enable the inner peripheral surface 22,or a portion thereof, to be bondingly connected to the outer peripheralsurface 38 of the pot 32 disposed therein causing the sleeve 10 b to bebondingly connected to the pot 32.

In yet another version of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 9-13, abonding material 70 is disposed on a portion of the outer peripheralsurface 16 of the base portion 50 of a sleeve 10 e. After the pot 32 isdisposed in the retaining space of the base portion 50, the sleeve 10 eis manually or automatically crimped about the outer peripheral surface38 of the pot 32 in the vicinity of the bonding material 70 therebyforming overlapping folds 72 in the base portion 50 which are bondinglyconnected together by the bonding material 70 to add structuralintegrity to the base portion 50 and to cooperate to hold the baseportion 50 in the shape of a pot cover or for causing the base portion50 of the sleeve 10 e to engage the outer peripheral surface 38 of thepot 32 and be held firmly thereabout. The bonding material 70 may bedisposed on the sleeve 10 e at a position below the upper rim 34 of thepot 32 (FIGS. 9-11) or may be disposed at a position on the base portion50 of the sleeve 10 e above the upper rim 34 of the pot 32 (such asshown in FIGS. 12-13) such that the overlapping folds 72 crimpinglyformed are located in a position generally above the upper rim 34 of thepot 32.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, the sleeve designated as 10 f,may further comprise an extended portion comprising a support extension76 which extends away from a portion of the upper end 12 of the sleeve10 f. The support extension 76 has one or more apertures 78 disposedtherein for allowing the sleeve 10 f to be supported on a supportassembly commercially available and known by one of ordinary skill inthe art such as a pair of wickets for shipment, storage, assembly of thesleeve 10 f, placement of the pot 32 within the sleeve 10 f, or otherfunctions known in the art. The support extension 76 may have aplurality of perforations 80 or other detaching means for allowing thesupport extension 76 to be removed from the upper end 12 sleeve 10 fafter the sleeve boa has been provided for use as described elsewhereherein. In another version of the invention, shown in FIG. 15, a sleeve10 g has an extended portion comprising a handle 82 for carrying thepotted plant package by the sleeve 10 g. The sleeve 10 g may furthercomprise a detaching element 84 comprising perforations for removing thehandle 82 at a later time.

Other versions of the present invention shown in FIGS. 16-19, maycomprise additional perforated areas for enhancing angularity of theextension of the skirt portion away from the base portion after theupper portion of the sleeve has been detached. For example, sleeve 10 hin FIG. 16 comprises perforations 86 which extend vertically downwardfrom the downward-pointing pointing apexes 88 in the lateralperforations 48 which demarcate the upper peripheral edge of the skirtportion 52 of the sleeve 10 h. After the upper portion 44 of the sleeve10 h is detached, the perforations 86 are open, allowing adjacentportions of the skirt portion 52 to be deflected at an increased angleto the base portion 50 as shown in FIG. 17.

Similarly, sleeve 10 i in FIG. 18 comprises notch perforations 90 whichallow the removal of a notch of material 92 in the vicinity of thedownward-pointing apexes in the lateral perforations 48 which demarcatethe upper peripheral edge of the skirt portion 52 of the sleeve 10 i.After the upper portion 44 of the sleeve 10 i is detached, the notches92 are removed, allowing the adjacent portions of the skirt portion 52to be deflected at an increased angle to the base portion 50 as shown inFIG. 19. Sleeve 10 j, shown in FIG. 20, is an example of sleeveconstructed generally in accordance with the invention as describedherein except the sleeve 10 j has an upper portion 94 which isconstructed of a material different from a lower portion 95. The upperportion 94 and lower portion 95 are shown as bondingly connected along asealed area 96. The upper portion 94, along with a portion of the lowerportion 95 may be disconnected from each other via detaching means suchas perforations 97 and 98, as described earlier.

Embodiments and Methods of Use of FIGS. 21-34

Attention is now drawn to the sleeve shown in FIG. 21 which isdesignated by the general reference numeral 100. The sleeve 100comprises a unitary construction and has a base portion 102, skirtportion 104, a sleeve portion 106 and at least one an expansion element108 and further has an outer peripheral surface 110, an open upper end112 and a lower end 114 which may or may not be open or closed. Thesleeve 100 has an inner retaining space 116 which extends from the openupper end 112 to the lower end 114 and which is encompassed by an innerperipheral surface 118 of the sleeve 100. The base portion 102 is sizedto substantially cover the outer peripheral surface 38 of a pot 32 andthe sleeve portion 106 is sized to substantially surround the floralportion 42 within the pot 32 which is disposed within the innerretaining space 116 of the sleeve 100.

The sleeve portion 106 extends from and is attached to the upper end 120of the skirt portion 104 and is detachable therefrom via a detachingelement 122 such as one described in detail above.

The expansion element 108 is integral to at least one of the baseportion 102 and the skirt portion 104 and may extend into the sleeveportion 106 as shown in FIG. 21. The expansion element 108 functions toallow expansion of a portion of the skirt portion 104 of the sleeve 100into a skirt 124, such as the skirt 124 of a decorative cover 126 formedtherefrom and shown in FIG. 22 which extends angularly from the baseportion 102 when the sleeve portion 106 is detached from the upper end120 of the skirt portion 104.

As shown in FIG. 21, each expansion element 108 of the sleeve 100comprises one or more areas of excess material shaped in the form of apleat which extends from the base portion 102 to the upper end 112 ofthe sleeve 100. As used herein, the term “excess material” means anamount of material which has a greater surface area than would actuallybe necessary to form that portion of the plant covering were thatportion of the plant covering actually flattened. The expansion element108 can expand causing portions of the skirt portion 104 to extendangularly from the base portion 102 forming a skirt 124 and a decorativecover 126 about a portion of the floral grouping 42 of the potted plant32 as shown in FIG. 22. It should be noted that although the illustratedfloral grouping 42 of FIG. 2 and others are different from the floralgroup illustrated in, for example, FIG. 22, no practical difference isintended. The expansion element 108 may further comprise a plurality ofdetachable notches such as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and as explainedabove.

Shown in FIG. 23 is a sleeve designated by the reference numeral 100 awhich is exactly the same as sleeve 100 except that sleeve 100 a has aplurality of expansion elements 108 a which do not extend from the baseportion. 102 all the way to the upper end 112 of the sleeve portion 106but only to a position below the upper end 112 of the sleeve 100 a.Shown in FIG. 24 is a cross-section through the sleeve 100 a whichreveals the pleated nature of the expansion elements 108 a therein. Whenthe sleeve portion 106 is removed, the expansion elements 108 a canexpand as for sleeve 100 as described above causing portions of theskirt portion 104 to extend angularly from the base portion 102 forminga skirt 124 exactly the same as the skirt 124 of the decorative cover126 shown in FIG. 22.

Attention is now drawn to FIG. 25 and to the sleeve shown therein whichis designated by the general reference numeral 100 b. Sleeve 100 b isexactly the same as sleeve 100 except that the sleeve 100 b has aplurality of Z-shaped expansion elements 108 b. As for expansion element108 of sleeve 100, the expansion elements 108 b of sleeve 100 b canexpand causing portions of the skirt portion 104 to extend angularlyfrom the base portion 102 forming a skirt 124 b in a decorative cover126 b about a portion of the floral grouping 42 of the potted plant 30as shown in FIG. 26.

Similarly, shown in FIG. 27 is a sleeve designated by the referencenumeral 100 c and which exactly the same as sleeve 100 b except thatsleeve 100 c has a plurality of expansion elements 108 c which do notextend from the base portion 102 all the way to the upper end 112 of thesleeve portion 106 but only to a position below the upper end 112 of thesleeve 100 c. Shown in FIG. 28 is a cross-section through the sleeve 100c of FIG. 27 which reveals the Z-shaped nature of the expansion elements108 c therein. When the sleeve portion 106 is removed, the expansionelements 108 c can expand as for sleeve 100 b causing portions of theskirt portion 104 to extend angularly from the base portion 102 forminga skirt exactly the same as the skirt 124 b of the decorative cover 126b shown in FIG. 26.

Attention is now drawn to FIG. 29 and to the sleeve shown therein whichis designated by the general reference numeral 100 d. Sleeve 100 d isexactly the same as sleeve 100 except that the sleeve 100 d has aplurality of fluted or groove-shaped expansion elements 108 d. As forexpansion element 108 of sleeve 100, the expansion elements 108 d ofsleeve 100 d can expand causing portions of the skirt portion 104 toextend angularly from the base portion 102 forming a skirt 124 d in adecorative cover 126 d about a portion of the floral grouping 42 of thepotted plant 30 as shown in FIG. 30.

Similarly, shown in FIG. 31, is a sleeve designated by the referencenumeral 100 e and which is exactly the same as sleeve 100 d except thatsleeve 100 e has a plurality of expansion elements 108 e which do notextend from the base portion 102 all the way to the upper end 112 of thesleeve portion 106 but only to a position below the upper end 112 of thesleeve 100 e. Shown in FIG. 32 is a cross-section through the sleeve 100e of FIG. 31 which reveals the fluted nature of the expansion elements108 e therein. When the sleeve portion 106 is removed, the expansionelements 108 e can expand as for sleeve 100 d causing portions of theskirt portion 104 to extend angularly from the base portion 102 forminga skirt exactly the same as the skirt 124 d of the decorative cover 126d shown in FIG. 30.

It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that theshapes of the expansion elements described above are but several of theshapes which can be contemplated for the present invention. Other shapeswhich may be contemplated are gussets, fans, and “accordion-folds” toname but a few.

Each of the sleeves 100-100 e may further comprise a support extension130 which extends away from a portion of the upper end of the sleevesuch as for the sleeve 100 f as shown in FIG. 33. The support extension130 has one or more apertures 132 disposed therein for allowing thesleeve 100 f to be supported on a support assembly 134 which maycomprise, for example, a pair of wickets 136 for shipment, storage,assembly of the sleeve 100 f, placement of a pot within the sleeve 100f, or other functions known in the art. The support extension 130 mayhave a plurality of perforations 138 or other detaching means forallowing the support extension 130 to be removed from the sleeve 100 fafter the sleeve 10 f has been provided for use as described elsewhereherein. In another version of the invention, and applicable to any ofthe sleeves described above, or elsewhere herein, a sleeve 100 g has ahandle 140 for carrying the potted plant package by the sleeve 100 g.The sleeve 100 g further comprises a detaching element 142 comprisingperforations for removing the handle 140 at a later time. As notedabove, the protective sleeve and decorative cover components of thepresent invention may comprise a unitary construction, as described inthe versions of the invention exemplified in FIGS. 1-34, or may compriseseparately formed components which are attached together by variousbonding materials, as described below. For example, the invention maycomprise, in one series of embodiments, sleeve-cover combination and amethod for packaging a pot or potted plant. In the method, a preformeddecorative plant cover is provided. The plant cover has a bondingmaterial disposed upon a portion of its inner peripheral surface forbonding the cover-to the outer peripheral surface of a pot. In oneembodiment, a bonding material is also disposed upon a portion of theouter peripheral surface of the pot. In the case where a decorativecover is provided which does not have a bonding material disposed on theinner peripheral surface thereof, a pot having a bonding materialdisposed upon a portion of the outer peripheral surface thereof isprovided for bonding to a portion of the inner peripheral surface of thedecorative cover. The pot is inserted into the pot retaining space ofthe preformed pot cover whereby the bonding material engages the innerperipheral surface of the cover and bondingly connects the outerperipheral surface of the pot thereto providing a covered pot.

In the next step of the method, a sleeve portion is provided forapplying to the covered pot for providing protection to the plantalready, or soon to be, disposed within the retaining space of the pot.The sleeve portion is preferably an open-ended, frusto-conically shaped,or semi frusto-conically shaped, tube similar to sleeves well known topersons of ordinary skill in the art. The sleeve may be free of anybonding material disposed thereon, or a bonding material may be disposedon a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve, preferablynear the lower end of the sleeve. The sleeve is opened and the coveredpot, as described, is deposited into the inner retaining space of thesleeve. As noted above, the decorative cover which covers the pot mayhave a bonding material disposed upon a portion of the outer peripheralsurface thereof.

In one version of the method, a covered pot free of anyexternally-disposed bonding material is deposited into a sleeve having abonding material disposed on a portion of the inner peripheral surfacethereof. As the covered pot is moved downwardly into the sleeve, thebonding material on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve engages aportion of the outer peripheral surface of the cover causing the sleeveto be bondingly connected to the cover disposed about the covered plant.Preferably, the sleeve bondingly engages a portion of the cover near theupper end of the base portion of the cover yet below the skirt portionof the cover to allow free extension of the skirt portion of the cover.

In an alternative version of the invention, as noted above, the bondingmaterial may be disposed on the outer surface of the cover of thecovered pot while the sleeve may be free of a bonding material. In thiscase, when the covered pot is disposed into the open sleeve, the bondingmaterial on the outer peripheral surface of the cover engages a portionof the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve causing the sleeve to bebondingly connected to the cover of the covered plant. Again, preferablythe sleeve bondingly engages a portion of the cover near the upper endof the base portion of the cover yet below the skirt portion of thecover.

In yet another version of the method of the present invention, thebonding material may be disposed on both the outer surface of thecovered pot and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve. In such acase, preferably the bonding material both of the cover and the sleeveis a cohesive which allows bonding to itself but not to dissimilarsurfaces. The embodiments of the sleeve/cover combination or packagebriefly described above are described in more detail below in relationto FIGS. 35-57.

Embodiments of FIGS. 35-44

Attention is now drawn to the embodiments of the present invention asshown in FIGS. 35-39. Represented by the general reference numeral 150in FIG. 35 is a pot. The pot 150 has an upper end 152, a lower end 154,an outer peripheral surface 156, an upper opening 158, and an innerretaining space 160. Shown in FIG. 36 is a plant cover referred to bythe general reference numeral 162. The plant cover 162 has an outerperipheral surface 164, an upper end 166, a lower end 168, a baseportion 170 sized generally to accommodate pot 150, a skirt portion 172which extends from the base portion 170, an upper opening 174, an inneror pot retaining space 176, an inner peripheral surface 178, and abonding material 180 which is disposed upon at least a portion of theinner peripheral surface 178. Shown in FIG. 37 is the pot 150 which hasbeen inserted into the pot retaining space 176 of the plant cover 162.

As indicated in FIG. 37 the bonding material 180 on the inner peripheralsurface 178 of the plant cover 162 is bondingly connected to the outerperipheral surface 156 of the pot 150. The bonding material 180 is shownin the figures as being preferably disposed near an upper end of thebase portion 170 of the pot cover 162 wherein the bonding material 180bonds at a position near the upper end 152 of the pot 150. However, thebonding material 180 may be disposed at other locations on the innerperipheral surface 178 of the pot cover 162 for bonding to otherpositions or points of the outer peripheral surface 156 of the pot 150.

Shown in FIG. 38 is a sleeve designated by the reference numeral 182.The sleeve 182 has an upper end 184, an upper opening 186, a lower end188, a lower opening 190, an outer peripheral surface 192, an innerperipheral surface 194, and an inner retaining space 196 which isencompassed generally by the inner peripheral surface 194. A bondingmaterial 198 is disposed upon a portion of the inner peripheral surface194. In FIG. 38 the bonding material 198 is shown as disposed on theinner peripheral surface 194 near the lower end 188 of the sleeve 182,but it will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art thatthe bonding material 198 may be disposed elsewhere on the innerperipheral surface 194 of the sleeve 182.

Sleeve 182 further comprises lateral perforations 200 and verticalperforations 202 for allowing detachment of an upper portion of thesleeve. Perforations 202 may also represent other forms of detachingmeans for detaching the upper portion of the sleeve 182. FIG. 39 shows asleeve/cover package comprising the cover 162 and pot 150 as shown inFIG. 37 and the sleeve 182 as shown in FIG. 38 after the pot 150 andcover 162 have been inserted into the inner retaining space 196 of thesleeve 182. As shown, in FIG. 39 the bonding material 198 bondinglyconnects a portion of the outer peripheral surface 164 of the cover 162to the inner peripheral surface 194 of the sleeve 182 at a positiongenerally near an upper end of the base portion 170 of the plant cover162. Once the plant cover 162 with the pot 150 therein has been disposedinto the inner retaining space 196 of the sleeve 182 the skirt portion172 of the cover 162 is substantially surrounded and encompassed by thesleeve 182. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, aportion of the sleeve portion 182 can be removed from the sleeve/coverpackage 204 when it is desired to decoratively display a plant containedwithin the pot 150.

Shown in FIG. 40 is a preformed plant cover represented by the generalreference numeral 162 a. The plant cover 162 a is exactly the same asthe plant cover 162 shown in FIG. 36 except that the plant cover 162 ahas an outer bonding material 181 a disposed on the outer peripheralsurface 164 a in addition to a bonding material 180 a which is disposedupon the inner peripheral surface 178 a of the plant cover 162 a. Shownin FIG. 41 is a pot 150 which has been disposed within the inner space176 a of the plant cover 162 a wherein the bonding material 180 a of theplant cover 162 a has bondingly connected to a portion of the outerperipheral surface 156 of the pot 150. The bonding material 181 a isshown on the outer peripheral surface 164 a of the plant cover 162 a.

Shown in FIG. 42 is a sleeve 182 a having an outer peripheral surface192 a, a lower end 190 a, and an inner peripheral surface 194 a. Thesleeve 182 a is exactly the same as the sleeve 182 shown in FIG. 38except that sleeve 182 a does not have a bonding material disposed onthe inner peripheral surface 194 a near the lower end 190 a of thesleeve 182 a. FIG. 43 shows a pot and cover combination exactly as shownin FIG. 41 which has been disposed into the inner space of the sleeve182 a wherein the bonding material 181 a on the outer peripheral surface164 a of the plant cover 162 a has bondingly connected to a portion ofthe inner peripheral surface 194 a of the sleeve 182 a. As before, theskirt portion 172 a is substantially surrounded and encompassed by thesleeve 182 a.

Shown in FIG. 44 is a sleeve/cover package 204 b which is comprised of apot 150 as described above, a plant cover 162 a as described above inFIG. 40 and a sleeve 182 as described above in FIG. 38. Sleeve/coverpackage 204 b thus comprises a plant cover 162 a having a bondingmaterial 181 a on the outer peripheral surface 164 a thereof, which isbondingly connected to a bonding material 198 which is on a portion ofthe inner peripheral surface 194 of the sleeve 182. In a preferredembodiment, the bonding material 181 a and 198 of sleeve cover package204 b are comprised of cohesive materials but may be comprised of anybonding material described previously herein.

Embodiments of FIGS. 45-55

Shown in FIG. 45 is a pot designated by the reference numeral 150 awhich is exactly the same as pot 150 described previously herein exceptthat the pot 150 a, which has an upper end 152 a, a lower end 154 a, andan outer peripheral surface 156 a, has also a bonding material 161 adisposed on at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface 156 a.Shown in FIG. 46 is a preformed plant cover designated by the generalreference numeral 162 b which has an outer peripheral surface 164 b, abase portion 170 b, a skirt portion 172 b and an inner peripheralsurface 178 b. The plant cover 162 b is exactly the same as the plantcover 162 except that the plant cover 162 b does not have a bondingmaterial such as the bonding material 180 disposed upon a portion of theinner peripheral surface 178 b.

Shown in FIG. 47 is the plant cover 162 b with the pot 150 a disposedtherein, wherein the bonding material 161 a of the pot 150 a isbondingly connected to a portion of the inner peripheral surface 178 bof the plant cover 162 b. Shown in FIG. 48 is a sleeve/cover package 204c which is comprised of a plant cover 162 b having a pot 550 a thereinas shown in FIG. 47 and a sleeve 182 such as the sleeve 182 in FIG. 38which has an inner peripheral surface 194 and a bonding material 198disposed upon a portion of the inner peripheral surface 194. The bondingmaterial 198 of the sleeve 182 is bondingly connected to a portion ofthe outer peripheral surface 178 b of the base portion 170 b of theplant cover 162 b. The skirt portion 172 b of the plant cover 162 b isthus substantially surrounded and encompassed by the sleeve 182.

Shown in FIG. 49 is a plant cover 162 c having an outer peripheralsurface 164 c, a base portion 170 c, a skirt portion 172 c, and an innerperipheral surface 178 c. The plant cover 162 c is exactly the same asthe plant cover 162 b of FIG. 46 except that the plant cover 162 cfurther comprises a bonding material 180 c disposed upon the portion ofthe outer peripheral surface 164 c of the cover 162 c. Shown in FIG. 50is the plant cover 162 c containing a pot 150 a. The pot 150 a isbondingly connected to the inner peripheral surface 178 c of the plantcover 162 c via a bonding material 161 a as described previously. Shownin FIG. 51 is sleeve/cover package 204 d. The sleeve/cover package 204 dcomprises a pot 150 a contained within a plant cover 162 c as describedin FIG. 50 which is disposed in the retaining space 196 a of sleeve 182a which is exactly the same as sleeve 182 a in FIG. 42. A portion of theinner peripheral surface 194 a of the sleeve 182 a is bondinglyconnected to a portion of the outer peripheral surface 164 c of theplant cover 162 c via the bonding material 180 c. The skirt portion 172c of the plant cover 162 a is substantially surrounded and encompassedby the sleeve 182 a.

Shown in FIG. 52 is a pot 150 a disposed within the pot retaining space176 a of a plant cover 162 a exactly like the plant cover 162 a shown inFIG. 40. Plant cover 162 a as before comprises bonding material 180 adisposed on the inner peripheral surface 178 a thereof and a bondingmaterial 181 a disposed on the outer peripheral surface 164 a thereof.Bonding material 161 a of the pot 150 a is connected to the bondingmaterial 180 a of the cover 162 a. The pot 150 a and cover 162 a may bedisposed within a sleeve such as sleeve 182 or sleeve 182 a.

Shown in FIG. 53 is the pot 150 a and plant cover 162 c disposed withinthe retaining space 196 of a sleeve 182 such as the sleeve 182 describedin FIG. 38 previously. As indicated in FIG. 53, the bonding material 180c of the plant cover 162 c is bondingly connected to the bondingmaterial 198 of the sleeve 182 thereby connecting the outer peripheralsurface 164 c of the plant cover 162 c to a portion of the innerperipheral surface 194 of the sleeve 182. As discussed previously, inthe case of using a plant cover having a bonding material on the outerperipheral surface thereof along with a sleeve having a bonding materialon the inner peripheral surface thereof, preferably the bonding materialis a cohesive. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthat other combinations of pots, covers and sleeves other than thosespecifically delineated herein are practicable and are well within thespirit of the embodiments described herein.

Shown in FIGS. 54 and 55 is one example of a method which can be used tocause a sleeve to be attached to the outer peripheral surface of adecorative cover surrounding a potted plant. A pedestal is representedby the reference numeral 210. The pedestal 210 is comprised of a post212, a base 214 and a pot support surface 216. A potted plant 218 isplaced upon the pot support surface 216, the potted plant 218 having abonding material 220 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of thecover of the potted plant 218. A plurality of sleeves 222 is disposedupon the pedestal 210 near the base 214. A single sleeve 224 is causedto be brought up around the outside of the potted plant 218. Theindividual sleeve 224 has an inner peripheral surface 226, an upper end228, and a bonding material 230 disposed upon a portion of the innerperipheral surface 226 preferably near the lower end of the sleeve 224.Shown in FIG. 55 is a sleeve 224 which has been brought up about theexterior of the potted plant 218 wherein the bonding material 230 on thesleeve is caused to be bondingly connected to the bonding material 220on the exterior surface of the potted plant 218. The sleeve 224 and thepotted plant 218 together comprise a sleeve and cover package 232.

Embodiments of FIGS. 56-67

Shown in FIG. 56 and represented by the general reference numeral 238 isa sleeve/plant package comprising a pot 240 and a sleeve 242. The sleeve242 has an outer peripheral surface 244, an inner peripheral surface246, a lower end 248, an upper end 250, a plurality of perforations 252and an inner bonding material 254 disposed on a portion of the innerperipheral surface 246 thereof. The inner bonding material 254 serves tobondingly connect the lower end 248 of the sleeve 242 to a portion ofthe pot 240, preferably an upper end of the pot 240. It will also beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the object asrepresented by the pot 240 could also be a pot covered with a decorativepot cover as described elsewhere herein. In that case the bondingmaterial 254 on the sleeve 242 would bondingly connect the innerperipheral surface 246 of the sleeve 242 to a portion of the outerperipheral surface of the decorative cover surrounding the pot 240.

In an alternative embodiment, a sleeve of the sleeve/plant package isdesignated by the reference numeral 238 a in FIG. 57. In this embodimentof the sleeve/plant package, the sleeve 242 a comprises no bondingmaterial. Instead, a bonding material 256 a is disposed on a portion ofthe exterior of the pot 240 a for bondingly connecting the sleeve 242 ato the pot 240 a. An additional embodiment is represented in FIG. 58 bythe sleeve/plant package designated by the reference numeral 238 b. Thesleeve plant package 238 b comprises a sleeve 242 b having a bondingmaterial 254 b disposed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface ofthe sleeve 242 b. In addition, the pot 240 a has a bonding material 256a disposed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot.Together the bonding materials 254 b and 256 a, which preferably arecohesives, cause the sleeve 242 b to be bondingly connected to the pot240 a.

Shown in FIG. 59 is yet another version of the present inventioncomprising a sleeve/plant package designated by the reference numeral238 c. The sleeve/plant package 238 c comprises a sleeve 242 c and a pot240. The sleeve 242 c has both an inner bonding material 254 c which isdisposed upon a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve242 c and an outer bonding material 258 c which is disposed upon aportion of the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 242 c. As notedabove, any of the sleeve plant packages 238, 238 a, 238 b, and 238 c maycomprise a potted plant having a decorative pot cover in lieu of the pot240 or 240 a to which the aforementioned sleeves are attached.

An alternate version of a sleeve as used in the present invention isshown in FIG. 60 and is designated by the general reference numeral 260.The sleeve 260 comprises an upper end 262, a lower end 264, an outerperipheral surface 266, an inner surface 268, a plurality ofperforations or other detaching means 270, an inverted portion 272disposed at the lower end 264 and a cover strip 274 which then concealsa bonding material disposed upon the external portion of the invertedportion 272. In use, as shown in FIG. 61, the sleeve 260 is disposedabout a pot 240 wherein a portion of the lower end of the sleeve 260 isplaced adjacent a portion of the external surface of the pot 240. Thecover strip 274 can then be removed revealing a bonding material 276disposed upon a portion of the externally facing portion of the invertedportion 272, as indicated in FIGS. 61 and 62. The inverted portion 272is then turned down as shown in FIG. 63 wherein the bonding material 276is caused to face the portion of the outer peripheral surface of thepot.240. Finally, shown in FIG. 64, is a sleeve/plant package 278 whichis produced when the sleeve 262 bondingly connected at the lower end 264thereof to the pot 240.

Shown in FIGS. 65 and 66 are two decorative covers. The cover 280 shownin FIG. 65 is a cover such as those well known in the art and describedpreviously herein and having a retaining space 282. Shown in FIG. 66 isa decorative plant cover designated by the general reference numeral 280a. The plant cover 280 a has a retaining space 282 a and a bondingmaterial 284 disposed upon a portion of the inner peripheral surface ofthe cover 280 a. Any of the sleeve plant packages shown previously inFIGS. 56-64 may be disposed in either of the decorative pot covers 280or 280 a. For example, sleeve plant packages 238, 238 a, 238 b, and 278may be disposed in the pot retaining space 282 a of the cover 280 a. Thebonding material 284 disposed on the inner peripheral surface of theplant cover 280 a can be caused to bondingly connect to a 3 portion ofthe plant package 238, 238 a, 238 b or 278 resulting in the sleeve/plantpackage 286 shown in FIG. 67. Alternatively, the sleeve/plant package238 c which has a bonding material 258 c disposed on an outer surfacethereof can be disposed in plant cover 280. The plant cover 280, havingno adhesive or bonding material disposed there, is bondingly connectedto the sleeve/plant package 238 c via the bonding material 258 c.

Embodiments of FIGS. 68-73

Another version of the present invention and its use thereof is shown inFIGS. 68-73. FIG. 68 shows a covered potted plant designated by thegeneral reference numeral 288. The potted plant 288 is comprised of adecorative cover 290 which has a skirt portion 292, a base portion 294,and an outer peripheral surface 296. A potted plant 298 is disposedwithin the retaining space of the decorative cover 290. Shown in FIG. 69is a sleeve designated by the general reference numeral 300 having agenerally. cylindrical shape and having an upper end 302, a lower end304, an outer peripheral surface 306, an inner peripheral surface 308, abonding material 310 disposed in the vicinity of the upper end 302, avertical perforation 312 extending from the near the upper end to thelower end, a lateral perforation 314 extending circumferentially aroundthe sleeve, and one or more expansion elements 316. In use the sleeve300 is drawn up about the base portion 294 of the covered potted plant288 wherein the bonding material 310 of the sleeve 300 is caused to bebondingly connected to a portion of the outer peripheral surface 296 ofthe plant cover 290. The sleeve 300 can be then brought up about thepotted plant 298 by grasping the lower end 304 of the sleeve and drawingthe lower end 304 in the direction 318 over the upper end of the coveredpotted plant 288 as shown in FIG. 71. Once fully drawn up about thepotted plant 282, the sleeve 300 encompasses the skirt portion 292 ofthe covered potted plant 288. The resulting sleeve/plant package isdesignated in FIG. 72 by the general reference numeral 320. Shown inFIG. 73 is the sleeve/plant package 320 after the upper portion of thesleeve 300 has been removed causing the skirt portion of the coveredpotted plant 288 to be exposed and the remaining portion of the sleeve322 left bondingly connected to a portion of the base 294 of the coveredpotted plant 288.

In an alternative embodiment of the a sleeve/cover combination, a sleevehaving a skirt portion attached therein is shown in FIG. 74 anddesignated by the general reference numeral 326. The sleeve/covercombination 326 comprises a sleeve 328. The sleeve 328 comprises a baseportion 330 having a lower end 332, a sleeve portion 334 having an upperend 336, an outer peripheral surface 338, and an inner peripheral 340. Askirt component 342 comprising a lower end 344, an upper end 346, anouter peripheral surface 348, an inner peripheral surface 350 and abonding material 352 is shown disposed within the sleeve 328. The skirtcomponent 342 is bondingly connected at a portion of its outerperipheral surface 348 to a portion of the inner peripheral surface 340of the sleeve 328 via the bonding material 352. The upper end 346 of theskirt component 342 is substantially surrounded and encompassed by thesleeve portion 334 of the sleeve 328. Shown in FIG. 75 is an alternateview of the skirt component 342 bondingly connected by the bondingmaterial 352 to a portion of the inner peripheral surface 340 of thesleeve 328. Also shown in FIG. 75 are perforations 354 in the sleeve 328for allowing detachment of the sleeve portion 334 away from the skirtcomponent 342 and the base portion 330 thereby allowing the skirtcomponent 342 to be exposed.

Embodiments of FIGS. 76-86

In yet another version of the present invention rather than providing apreformed pot cover, a sheet of material may be provided for forming acover about a pot. In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 76 a sheet ofmaterial 360 is provided. The sheet of material 360 has an inner surface362, an outer surface 364, a first edge 366, a second edge 368, a thirdedge 370, a fourth edge 372, and a bonding material 374 which isdisposed upon a portion of the outer surface 364. A potted plant 298 canbe disposed upon the inner surface 362 the sheet of material 360 wrappedand formed into a decorative cover 376 about the potted plant 298 asshown in FIG. 77 in a manner well known to a person of ordinary skill inthe art. The decorative cover 376 thus formed comprises a base portion378, and a skirt portion 380. The bonding material 374 is thereforedisposed upon the outer surface 364 of the decorative cover 376. Shownin FIG. 78 and designated by the general reference numeral 382 is asleeve having an outer peripheral surface 384, an inner peripheralsurface 386, and an inner space 387 surrounded by the inner peripheralsurface 386. The potted plant shown in FIG. 77 having the decorativecover 376 is then disposed into the inner space 387 of the sleeve 382wherein the bonding material 374 of the decorative cover 376 engages aportion of the inner peripheral surface 386 of the sleeve 382 therebybondingly connecting a portion of the outer peripheral surface 384 ofthe decorative cover 376 to the inner peripheral surface 386 of thesleeve 382 in forming a sleeve/plant package 388.

In an alternate version of the invention, a sleeve 382 a having an outerperipheral surface 384 a, an inner peripheral surface 386 a, and aninner space 387 a is provided. Disposed upon a portion of the innerperipheral surface 386 a of the sleeve 382 a is a bonding material 390.A potted plant such as that shown in FIG. 77 having a decorative cover376 which has a bonding material 374 thereon is disposed within theinner space 387 a of the sleeve 382 a to form a sleeve/cover package 388a wherein the bonding material 390 of the sleeve 382 a bondinglyconnects to the bonding material 374 of the decorative cover 376 asshown generally in FIG. 81. Preferably, when both the sleeve 382 a andthe decorative cover 376 have a bonding material thereon the bondingmaterial is a cohesive wherein the cohesive 390 cohesively connects tothe bonding material 374.

In an alternative version of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 82and 83, the sleeve may not be a tube but instead may be a flat sheet ofmaterial having a generally trapezoidal, square or rectangular shape. Itwill be appreciated in that size or shape of sheet of material may beutilized as long as this sheet of material functions in the mannerdescribed herein in accordance with the present invention. Shown in FIG.82 is a sheet of material designated by the general reference numeral394. The sheet of material 394 has an inner surface 396, an outersurface 398, a first edge 400, a second edge 402, a third edge 404 and afourth edge 406. The sheet 394 further has vertical perforations 408 andlateral perforations 410 which represent detaching means. The sheet 394further has a first bonding strip 412 flanking the second edge 402 and asecond bonding strip 414 which is disposed horizontally and flanks thethird edge 404. A potted plant 288 having a decorative cover 290 isprovided as shown previously herein. The sheet of material 394 can thenbe wrapped about the covered potted plant 288 forming a generallyfrusto-conical shaped sleeve as shown in FIG. 83. The first bondingstrip 412 which here is shown to be vertically oriented is caused toengage and bondingly connect to the fourth edge 406 of the sheet ofmaterial 394 as indicated in FIG. 83 thereby forming an overlappingsealed area between the first bonding strip 412 and the portion of thesurface of the sheet near the fourth edge 406. The second bonding strip414 which here is shown to be horizontally oriented is caused to engageand bondingly connect circumferentially about a portion of the outerperipheral surface 296 of the decorative cover 290 formed about thepotted plant thereby forming a generally frusto-conical shaped sleeve416 and forming a sleeve/cover package comprising the covered pottedplant 288 and then the sleeve 416. A portion of the sleeve 416 can thenbe removed by detaching the portion along the perforations 408 and 410.

In yet another version of the invention, a sheet of material designatedby the general reference numeral 394 a is provided. The sheet ofmaterial 394 a has an inner surface 396 a, an outer surface 398 a, afirst edge 400 a, a second edge 402 a, a third edge 404 a and a fourthedge 406 a. The sheet of material 394 further has a plurality ofvertical perforations 408 a and a plurality of lateral perforations 410a. Further, the sheet of material 394 a has a first bonding strip 412 awhich is disposed generally disposed along the second edge 402 a, asecond bonding strip 414 a which is generally disposed along the thirdedge 404 a and a sealing strip 420 a which is generally disposed alongthe first edge 400 a. As indicated in the embodiment previously shown inFIGS. 82 and 83 the sheet of material of 394 a can be wrapped about apotted plant to form a sleeve/cover package 424. As shown in FIGS. 85and 86 the sealing strip 420 a can be sealed along its length to sealthe upper end of the sleeve 422 formed therefrom for reducing gasexchange or moisture loss from the potted plant 288.

It should also be noted that for all versions of preformed covers andsheets of material described above and elsewhere herein, an additionalbonding material may be disposed either on the outer surface of thecover or the inner surface of the cover, or both the outer and innersurfaces for allowing portions of the cover to be crimpingly connectedto the pot in exactly the same manner as described elsewhere herein.Further, in each of these versions described herein the sleeve which isbondingly connected to the cover comprises a detaching element or meansas described earlier for allowing the sleeve or portion thereof to bedetached from the cover thereby exposing the skirt portion of the baseof the cover or another portion of the base and allowing the portionthereby exposed to extend angularly from the base of the cover. Furtherin any of the versions of the present invention described herein, it maybe desirable to have a cover strip covering the bonding materialdisposed on any portion of the object for preventing the bondingmaterial from bonding to a surface until the desired time. Further ineach of the cases described herein wherein a sleeve is applied to a potor a covered pot, the sleeve may be applied thereto either by depositingthe pot or covered pot downwardly into the open retaining space of thesleeve, or the sleeve may be brought upwardly about the pot or coveredpot from below the pot or covered pot as shown for example using thepedestal of FIGS. 54 and 55.

It should be further noted that features of the versions of the presentinvention shown in FIGS. 6-20 such as closure bonding areas, supportextensions, handles, additional perforations and combinations ofmaterial may be used alone or in combination as elements of any of theembodiments described above herein.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the variouscomponents, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps orthe sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wrapping a potted plant, comprising:providing a potted plant comprising a floral grousing disposed in a pot,the pot having a lower end, an upper rim and an outer peripheralsurface; providing a sleeve comprising: a base portion having an upperend, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheralsurface, the base portion having a flattened state wherein the baseportion is openable from a flattened state to an opened position whereinthe inner surface of the base portion defines and encompasses an innerretaining space, an opening being formed through the upper end of thebase portion in communication with the inner retaining space, the baseportion sized to fit the outer peripheral surface of the pot and havingexcess material in the base portion for forming a bottom of the baseportion sized to cover the lower end of the pot when the pot is disposedwithin the base portion, the base portion having an edge on the upperend thereof; opening the base portion into the opened position therebyexposing the inner retaining space of the base portion thereby providingthe base portion sized for fitting the pot; and disposing the pottedplant in the inner retaining space of the base portion of the sleevewith the lower end of the pot positioned upon the bottom of the baseportion and with the base portion covering at least a portion of theouter peripheral surface of the pot to provide a cover for the pottedplant.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing asleeve, the sleeve is further defined as constructed from materialshaving a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. 3.The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a sleeve, thesleeve is further defined as constructed from materials having athickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a sleeve, the sleeveis further defined as constructed from materials having a thickness in arange of from about 1 mil to about 5 mils.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein in the step of providing a sleeve, the sleeve is further definedas constructed from materials selected from the group consisting oftreated or untreated paper, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film,cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinationsthereof.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of opening thebase portion substantially no folds are formed in the base portion whenin the opened position.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the methodcomprises the additional step of bondingly connecting the base portionto the outer peripheral surface of the pot via a bonding material. 8.The method of claim 7 wherein in the step of bondingly connecting thebase portion to the pot, the bonding material is disposed upon a portionof at least one of the base portion and the pot.
 9. The method of claim1 further comprising the step of crimping a portion of the sleeve abouta portion of the pot.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step ofdisposing the potted plant, the potted plant is disposed within the baseportion wherein at least a portion of the edge of the base portion is ina position adjacent the upper rim of the pot.
 11. A method of wrapping apotted plant, comprising: providing a potted plant comprising a floralgrouping disposed in a pot, the pot having a lower end, an upper rim andan outer peripheral surface; providing a sleeve comprising: a baseportion having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surfaceand an outer peripheral surface, the base portion having a flattenedstate wherein the base portion is openable from a flattened state to anopened position wherein the inner surface of the base portion definesand encompasses an inner retaining space, an opening being formedthrough the upper end of the base portion in communication with theinner retaining space, the base portion sized to fit the outerperipheral surface of the pot and having excess material in the baseportion for forming a bottom of the base portion sized to cover thelower end of the pot when the pot is disposed within the base portion,the base portion having an edge on the upper end thereof and the baseportion having a linear sealed bottom; opening the base portion into theopened position thereby exposing the inner retaining space of the baseportion thereby providing the base portion sized for fitting the pot;and disposing the potted plant in the inner retaining space of the baseportion of the sleeve with the lower end of the pot positioned upon thebottom of the base portion and with the base portion covering at least aportion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot to provide a coverfor the potted plant.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein in the step ofopening the base portion substantially no folds are formed in the baseportion when in the opened position.
 13. The method of claim 11 whereinthe method comprises the additional step of bondingly connecting thebase portion to the outer peripheral surface of the pot via a bondingmaterial.
 14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step ofcrimping a portion of the sleeve about a portion of the pot.
 15. Themethod of claim 11 wherein in the step of disposing the potted plant,the potted plant is disposed within the base portion wherein at least aportion of the edge of the base portion is in a position adjacent theupper rim of the pot.
 16. A method of wrapping a potted plant,comprising: providing a potted plant comprising a floral groupingdisposed in a pot, the pot having a lower end, an upper rim and an outerperipheral surface; providing a sleeve comprising: a base portion havingan upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface and an outerperipheral surface, the base portion having a flattened state whereinthe base portion is tapered from the upper end to the lower end in theflattened state of the base portion and is openable from the flattenedstate to an opened position wherein the inner surface of the baseportion defines and encompasses an inner retaining space, an openingbeing formed through the upper end of the base portion in communicationwith the inner retaining space, the base portion sized and tapered tofit the outer peripheral surface of the pot and having excess materialin the base portion for forming a bottom of the base portion sized tocover the lower end of the pot when the pot is disposed within the baseportion, the base portion having an edge on the upper end thereof;opening the base portion into the opened position thereby exposing theinner retaining space of the base portion thereby providing the baseportion sized and tapered for fitting the pot; and disposing the pottedplant in the inner retaining space of the base portion of the sleevewith the lower end of the pot positioned upon the bottom of the baseportion and with the base portion covering at least a portion of theouter peripheral surface of the pot to provide a cover for the pottedplant.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein in the step of opening thebase portion substantially no folds are formed in the base portion whenin the opened position.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the methodcomprises the additional step of bondingly connecting the base portionto the outer peripheral surface of the pot via a bonding material. 19.The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of crimping a portionof the sleeve about a portion of the pot.
 20. The method of claim 16wherein in the step of disposing the potted plant, the potted plant isdisposed within the base portion wherein at least a portion of the edgeof the base portion is in a position adjacent the upper rim of the pot.21. The method of claim 16 wherein the base portion has a linear sealedbottom.